First day of mainstream school for The Tornado 🌪
My non-verbal boy going to Big School! I can’t quite get my head around it but it’s happening. 😳
We arrive early …. shock horror yes I know very out of character for us!
Too bloody early so we had to wait around in reception to be taken through to class.
Tornado wants to run straight into class, no waiting in line for him, he’s away! So I Park the twins pushchair and run through the crowd of parents grab him back several 100 times. Carrying him and alternately peeling him off the floor as he was laying down protesting. He just doesn’t understand that he needs to wait and busy situations like this make him want to go to familiar surroundings like the classroom (which he did visit quite a few times previously).
The other kids are all reading books or chatting excitedly with Mum and Dad….Then my other boy Bam Bam decides to try and escape the pushchair harness, not what I need at this present moment in time.🥴
A little girl from Tornado’s class had picked some flowers (ok dandelions) 💐 for the teacher….Tornado went up to her and said “ooh flower” then he snatched the handful of flowers 🤦🏻♀️ He’s walking round all proud with his steal showing his new classmates ‘flower’ (he does say the odd word here and there) Next he proceeded to throw said flowers all over the reception floor in front of all the parents 🤭. The blinkers were fully on at this point. I wanted the ground to swallow me up at this moment in time (talk about make a good first impression)
So truly on all eyes on me now. The mother of the girl was less than impressed! I apologised profusely all hot and flustered and handed the now wilting dandelions back. The poor girl was in shock mouth wide open 😮 I explained (red faced) to Mum and daughter he doesn’t understand and that he is autistic but not sure it made a difference. I will make sure everybody knows about his difficulties and hopefully get acceptance and understanding for some of his behaviours 🤪 Hopefully the other parents will be kind!
After a few more attempts at him bolting off I gave him my phone to distract him…. I’m sure this gave off an extremely bad parent vibe passing an electrical device over but it worked just to keep him focussed for 2 minutes so I could re-group and thwart any further escape antics from Bam Bam!
Finally we were led through the school to class. He ran off ahead straight in didn’t look back or say bye 👋🏻 but he was happy and excited! All the other kids said “Bye Mum, I love you” etc along with lots of cuddles and some apprehension but not my boy he saw a whole new classroom to explore and he was away. He gives me love on his terms when he needs it.😍
I’m so glad he’s enjoying it although he shattered even after a couple of hours. He’s actually doing well and only one mahoosive meltdown after school so far just a few minor ones. School have been so accommodating and I love the support and feedback we are receiving already 😊 I honestly think it’ll be the making of him and he will be chatting the hind legs off a donkey by the end of year R I reckon!!
So maybe in future I’ll stick to being late or just about on time (Ok probably late) My kids don’t do waiting and find the whole crowds of children and parents pretty overwhelming. School has lots of new places to explore and discover. Onwards and upwards I’ll keep you updated on his progress 😊🌪❤️
Love L 😘 x
The Mad Madden's 